TURNERS FALLS, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Montague Selectboard has authorized a Massachusetts-based firm to conduct an analysis of odor-mitigating equipment at the Flower Power Growers facility on Industrial Boulevard.
There have been numerous complaints from abutters about strong cannabis odors coming from the facility. Nick Waynelovich, the co-owner of the adjacent Ja’Duke Preschool, is dissatisfied with the board’s decision.
“Are we here to get the scientific facts, or just to placate Flower Power?” said Waynelovich. “We need sensors at Ja’Duke, we need sensors down at the camps where they said they couldn’t open the windows because it smelled so badly.”
Select Board member Matthew Lord disagreed that sensors were needed, and asserted that it would be a waste of money.
“I don’t understand what the air needs to be tested for,” said Lord. “You (Waynelovich) have told us it smells like cannabis. In response, the board has decided to see if the system that is designed to stop cannabis smell is working properly.”
Flower Power is reimbursing the town for the $4,900 cost of the analysis, which will be conducted by Tech Environmental of Waltham.